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LAFC 2-2 Vancouver Whitecaps: 3 things we learned

By Gregory Tears

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 13: Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela (10) dribbles the ball during the game between the Los Angeles FC and the New York City FC on May 13, 2018 at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 13: Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela (10) dribbles the ball during the game between the Los Angeles FC and the New York City FC on May 13, 2018 at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LAFC lost a 2-0 1st half lead and drew 2-2 against a pesky Vancouver Whitecaps in the penultimate matchday of the MLS season.  Here are three things we learned from Sunday afternoon’s draw.

LAFC wrapped up its final home match of its inaugural MLS season with a 2-2 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday afternoon at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.

The Black and Gold started the match strong by going up 2-0 within the first 15 minutes from a Diego Rossi brace, but could not put a crucial three points in the “Banc” as the Whitecaps scraped back into the match and finally equalized in the 65th minute through a Jordon Mutch wonder strike to share the spoils.

Here are three things we learned from Sunday afternoon’s draw.

Leaky defense continues to torment Bradley

LAFC coach Bob Bradley will be shaking his head for a while after letting this result set in.

Bradley’s LAFC started positively by quickly going up 2-0 within 15 minutes through a Diego Rossi brace.

With a two-goal lead and facing a Vancouver team with very slim mathematical playoff hopes, LAFC should have seen the match out and taken the full three points from the match.

Despite having 73 percent of the possession and outshooting the Whitecaps by a 20-10 margin, Bradley’s team conceded two goals at home and once again showed that the back line is the weakest part of his talented team.

After former captain Laurent Ciman exited the club this summer, Bradley has consistently used the backline of Harvey, Zimmerman, Danilo Silva and Beitashour with sometimes mixed results.

As the playoffs loom, Bradley’s preferred back line needs to be tighter. Conceding two goals at home again could spell the end of LAFC’s magical season when the playoffs kick off in a few weeks.

Offense the best defense?

While the defense yielded a penalty from a poor Benny Feilhaber foul and a 30-yard laser from Jordon Mutch, the offense was in high gear and produced numerous opportunities to put the game out of reach.

With Carlos Vela and Rossi leading the charge, the Black and Gold doubled up the Whitecaps in shots and even rattled the woodwork through Vela. However, they could not find a way to score after the 15th minute of the match.

While scoring his 11th and 12th goals of the season, Rossi also missed several quality chances. The 20-year-old forward continued to work hard to generate additional opportunities but lacked the clinical finishing touch in the end.

By failing to capitalize on their quality chances, LAFC struggled to put the game away and let Vancouver back into the match.  LAFC will need to be better in front of goal if they continue to leak goals in the back.

As the playoffs approach, matches will become tighter, the quality of opposition will improve and quality chances will become rarer. If LAFC wants to progress towards the MLS Cup, LAFC’s attacking mentality may be the very thing that can make up for the club’s inconvenient defensive lapses.

Next. Key players for the MLS stretch run. dark

Dramatic “Decision Day” showdown in Kansas City looms

Because Sporting KC went on the road and stunned FC Dallas 3-0 on Sunday afternoon, LAFC’s  final match next Sunday on MLS’s “Decision Day” against Sporting KC in Kansas City will be for the Western Conference title.

With a win, LAFC will win the Western Conference. With a loss, LAFC will have to hope that the Colorado Rapids play for pride in front of their home fans and can find a way to beat FC Dallas in order for LAFC to remain in the top two positions in the Western Conference and earn a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

If FC Dallas wins while LAFC loses or draws, LAFC will host a winner-take-all match in the first round of the MLS playoffs. And yes, if it gets to this, it most likely will be against the LA Galaxy.

Another El Trafico at the Banc in a knockout game would be an amazing sight to see for the city of Los Angeles. But if LAFC can take care of business on Sunday in Kansas City, LAFC can sit back and watch its rivals while enjoying a well-earned bye.

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